Petrovs Defense Steinitz Attack: Symmetrical Center
Petrov’s Defense (Russian Defense)
Definition
The Petrov’s Defense is a symmetrical, double-king-pawn opening that begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6. Rather than protecting its own e-pawn (as in 2…Nc6), Black immediately counter-attacks White’s pawn on e4. The ECO codes most Petrov lines as C42–C43, while the systems that arise after 3.d4 (the Steinitz Attack) fall under C44.
Typical Move Orders
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 (Classical Main Line)
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 (→ Steinitz Attack)
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 d5 5.Nxe5 (→ Symmetrical Center Variation)
Strategic Ideas
- Early symmetry: Black aims for an equal share of the center rather than immediate counter-play on the flanks.
- Piece activity over pawn structure: Because pawns are often exchanged early, both sides fight to place minor pieces on optimal posts (e.g., …Nc6, …Bc5 for Black; Bf1-d3 or c4 for White).
- Safe king: The opening usually leads to a solid, almost endgame-like structure, making it popular in high-level play when a draw is an acceptable result.
Historical Significance
Named after the 19th-century Russian master Alexander Petrov, it epitomized the classical principle of meeting a threat with a counter-threat. The defense found renewed life in the 1990s through the repertoire of Vladimir Kramnik and in the 2018 World Championship match, where Fabiano Caruana wielded it six times against Magnus Carlsen.
Illustrative Game
Kramnik vs Kasparov, Linares 1999: Kramnik used the Classical Main Line to neutralize Kasparov’s attacking style and eventually out-maneuver him in a queen-less middlegame.
Interesting Facts
- Because both kings often castle early, grandmasters jokingly call the Petrov “the quickest route to the endgame.”
- Anatoly Karpov adopted the Petrov as a surprise weapon in his 1978 World Championship match against Viktor Korchnoi, steering several critical games into quiet endgames he excelled at.
Steinitz Attack in the Petrov
Definition
The Steinitz Attack arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4. By thrusting the d-pawn two squares, White increases central space, opens lines for the c1-bishop and queen, and follows the first World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz’s dictum that “the king’s pawn and queen’s pawn should advance together.”
Main Replies for Black
- 3…Nxe4 – The most theoretical choice, transposing to the Symmetrical Center or Modern Attack.
- 3…exd4 – The Central Variation, often leading to positions resembling the Scotch Gambit.
- 3…d6 or 3…Nc6 – Solid but concede a spatial edge.
Strategic Themes for White
- Central majority: White often maintains pawns on e4 and d4 against Black’s lone e-pawn.
- Piece coordination: Typical piece placement involves Bf1-d3, Nb1-c3, and queenside castling if Black keeps the queens on.
- Initiative vs. material: After 3…Nxe4 4.Bd3, White sacrifices the e-pawn temporarily to accelerate development.
Historical Note
The line debuted in Steinitz–Tschigorin, Havana 1889, where Steinitz unleashed 3.d4 to demonstrate the power of central pawn mass, winning a smooth game. Modern adherents include Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Levon Aronian, who employ it to avoid the most theory-laden Classical Petrov.
Sample Continuation
Symmetrical Center Variation (Petrov, Steinitz Attack)
Definition & Move Order
The Symmetrical Center Variation is a sub-line of the Steinitz Attack reached by:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7
After these moves, both sides possess an identical pawn structure—pawns on e5 and d5—hence the term “symmetrical center.” The ECO reference is C44.
Key Features of the Resulting Position
- Balanced but dynamic: Material is equal, and the center is locked by the twin pawn chain e5–d5 vs. e4–d4 (often after eventual exchanges).
- Minor-piece maneuvering: Knights aim for c3/f3 (White) and c6/f6 (Black); bishops often contest the a3–f8 and a2–g8 diagonals.
- Long-term plans:
- White: Break with c4 or f3 to undermine d5/e4.
- Black: Counter with …c5 or …f6 to fracture White’s pawn chain.
Strategic Objectives
- Piece activity before pawn breaks: Because the central pawns block direct attacks, both players redeploy pieces (e.g., Re1, Nd2, Qf3 for White) before opening lines.
- King safety: Opposite-wing castling is rare; both sides usually castle short, preparing pawn breaks on the queenside or in the center.
- Endgame ambitions: The symmetrical structure lends itself to subtle endgames where slight piece activity decides the outcome.
Classical Example
Grischuk vs Gelfand, Tal Memorial 2012 proceeded exactly along the Symmetrical Center path. Grischuk broke with 17.c4, seized the d5-square, and converted a small space advantage in a bishop-vs-knight endgame.
Interesting Tidbits
- A common trap: after 5.Nxe5 dxe4? 6.Bc4, Black’s king is stranded in the center, and the threat of Bxf7+ forces concessions.
- The variation was once a favorite of Boris Spassky, who liked its “healthy center” yet enough imbalance to outplay opponents in the middlegame.
- Because of the perfectly mirrored pawn structure, engines evaluate many positions as precisely equal, making human ingenuity crucial to create winning chances.